The Enugu State Police Command has arrested three suspected cultists and drug peddlers and recovered firearms, ammunition and hard drugs in a series of targeted operations across the state.

In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the arrests followed intelligence-led raids carried out by specialised police units in Enugu South Local Government Area and the Agbani axis.

Ndukwe explained that operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad first moved on the Awkunanaw area of Enugu South, where they apprehended two men, identified as Emmanuel Mba, 31, and Nnam Onukwube, 35.

According to the police, both suspects admitted to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. Investigators further identified Mba as the alleged head and executioner of the group’s activities within Enugu South, where the confraternity is believed to have been involved in violent crimes and intimidation.

During the operation, officers recovered one pump-action gun, a locally fabricated Beretta-type pistol and 31 live cartridges. Also seized were a large wrap of a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, an HP laptop and a motorcycle believed to have been used to facilitate their activities.

In a separate operation in the Agbani axis, police operatives raided several suspected criminal hideouts, detaining eight individuals for screening and investigation.

Ndukwe said that during the follow-up checks, one of the suspects, identified as 32-year-old Monday Ezeani, was found in possession of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa and 39 pellets of a substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, locally known as “Mkpuru-mmiri”.

He added that the remaining suspects picked up in the Agbani raid were released after preliminary investigations failed to link them to any criminal activity.

The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for the successful operations and reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling cult networks, drug rings and armed gangs across the state.

Giwa urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital to sustaining recent gains against crime.

He warned individuals involved in armed robbery, cultism and illicit drug trafficking to renounce their activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law as the command intensifies its crackdown on criminal elements.